Richard Dimitri Dies: ‘Johnny Dangerously’ Star Was 83
What To Know
- Richard Dimitri, known for his roles in Johnny Dangerously and When Things Were Rotten, died at age 83.
- Dimitri had a diverse career spanning Broadway, television, and film.
- Fans paid tribute to Dimitri on social media, celebrating his comedic legacy and memorable performances, especially as Roman Moronie in Johnny Dangerously.
Richard Dimitri, the actor best known for roles in Johnny Dangerously and When Things Were Rotten, is dead at 83.
On December 18, Dimitri died in Los Angeles following a battle with lung and heart disease over the course of several decades, his family announced.
He was of Assyrian descent and born in Yonkers, New York. After graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 1962, he snagged the role of Bashir in off-Broadway revival of The Immoralist in 1963. In the late ’60s, Dimitri launched his Broadway career by playing Pavli in Zorba (1968), Muthu in The Guide (also 1968), and Kinesias in Lysistrata (1972).
In 1993, the actor co-created the Fox sitcom Daddy Dearest, which starred Richard Lewis and Don Rickles. He also wrote for the CBS series House Calls, starring Lynn Redgrave and Wayne Rogers, and the NBC show Going Bananas, starring an orangutan named Roxana Banana.
Dimitri portrayed the twins, Bertram and Renaldo, in the ABC series When Things Were Rotten. Unfortunately for him, the 1975 Robin Hood spoof, starring Dick Gautier, only aired for 13 episodes.
Most notably, he played Roman Moronie in Johnny Dangerously, starring Michael Keaton, Joe Piscopo, Marilou Henner, Peter Boyle, Dom DeLuise, Danny DeVito, and others. Additionally, he played a gambler called Johnny Cheeseburger in the 1989 film Let It Ride, starring Richard Dreyfuss and David Johansen.
— John Galt (@JohnGaltisX) January 9, 2026
In the wake of his death, fans reacted on social media, with one X user quoting his gangster slang from Johnny Dangerously, writing, “Roman Maroni never forget a fargin face kid.”
Another echoed, “You fargin bastages!!!! This means fargin war!!!!!!”
Someone else declared, “One of the most underrated funniest movies of all time,” as another X user echoed, “That sucks. Best role all time.”
Meanwhile, yet another X user commented, “Rip legend.”
Dimitri is survived by his wife, Christianne. He was preceded in death by his son, John W. Dimitri.